Unwinding Time (Black Butler Dreamfic)

Part 1: The Ocarina of Time

"Once something is truly lost, one can never get it back."

The words echoed in the butler's mind, willing him on through the confusing maze of realms. His master had never asked him to go to such drastic measures, nor had he even admitted that he wanted this. But a worthy Phantomhive butler could anticipate his master's innermost desires, and this one was most obvious. Only Ciel's pride kept it from being spoken.

The slender, black figure was hidden behind one of the towering pillars in the great, white marble temple. He could see them now- the two figures approaching the pedestal. If his calculations were correct, this would be the best time. Completing the task now would cause no harm to his world or theirs. It wasn't as if their happiness mattered to him, but he was already playing with fire. He would rather do the least damage possible in order to not tear the precious fabrics of the universe apart.

"It's finally over... at long last..." the elegant figure announced, her rose colored silk dress gliding across the red carpet.

"It's... time, isn't it?" asked the green garbed boy with golden strands peeking beneath the long hat. "To put it to rest?"

The lady nodded. "It can no longer exist in this world, I'm afraid. Its power is far too great."

The boy stroked the glassy, sky blue surface of the instrument. He then looked to the princess, and she looked back at her hero. He laid it on the ground at the foot of the pedestal where the three sacred stones glittered in the heavenly light.

Link raised the Master Sword, readying to shatter the instrument to pieces. Zelda clasped her hands to her chest and closed her eyes.

The blade struck against the tile floor. The ocarina had vanished.

They suddenly realized a new figure in front of them. He wore a black suit to match his crow-colored hair, contrasting his pale face and garnet eyes. He held the ocarina, which was unharmed, in his gloved hand.

"It's such a lovely instrument... how could you go about destroying it so brutally?"

Zelda and Link simultaneously jumped back in shock.

"Who- who are you!?" she exclaimed.

"Just a butler," the figure smiled politely, but the look in his eyes caused the expression to reflect mystery. "I understand your reasons for wanting to dispose of this instrument, but how about a simpler method?"

"It's better that we do it ourselves- safely and properly," Zelda shot him a glare. "It the thing ends up in your hands... there's no telling what devastation it could bring."

"You need not to worry about that, my lady." Sebastian's smile brightened. "I do not serve the evil of this world, nor do I wish to cause any suffering here. My master and my own goal lie in a separate realm, where I plan to take this."

"Look," Link growled. "I have no idea who you think you are, but we can't let you take it. I defeated the king of evil in this... realm or whatever you call it, and I can surely beat you- whatever the heck you are!"

"That seems like a valid hypothesis to me," Sebastian's smile brightened-- or darkened. "How about we put it to the test?"

Link violently swung his sword at the butler, who dodged quickly. It was close, even for Sebastian. The child was a better fighter than he had first expected. But, of course, having the triforce of courage was similar to Agni having the power of god. He would have to be careful with this. And that being the "blade of evil's bane" made it all the worse. It must hold a power like that of a reaper's scythe, except it was specifically made for the destruction of beings like him. One scratch and Sebastian knew he could very well die.

"Hey!" Link called. "This is supposed to be a battle, not a dodging competition!"

"Yes, well-"a bright flash cut him off (a deku nut), but didn't affect him whatsoever. "...All I have is silverware, and-" There was an explosion. "...As I was saying, that's more of an aim-to-kill tool, so I'd rather not use it."

"How did that not even stun you!?" The hero's eyes widened.

"Please, those little weapons do not harm my kind at all," Sebastian replied in an unfitting, cheerful tone.

Link raised an eyebrow. "But... you appear... human..."

There was only one way to tell. Link pulled out the Eye of Truth. Upon looking through it, the item slipped through his hand and fell onto the ground.

"What is it!?" Zelda gasped. "What did you see!?"

"He's... not human at all..." Link stuttered. The thing he saw through the Eye of Truth was, undoubtedly, one of the most terrifying things he had ever seen- next to Ganon. Nevertheless, he couldn't let him take the Ocarina of Time, even if he promised to do no harm. He didn't even want to think of the devastation trusting something like him could cause.

Link charged Sebastian, who acted if he was going to stand still until the moment he pulled out a knife and countered the blade. Sparks began flying as the hero and the demon butler were thrown into a frenzy of striking and blocking.

"I don't believe we've even been properly introduced," Sebastian told him, a bit of strain showing in his voice.

"Ya, well-" A knife was nearly thrust into his shield. "I'm Link."

"Sebastian Michaelis," the butler answered, bowing just as the sword swept over his head. "And you, my lady?" he called to Zelda.

"What- Why do you need my name? Are you mad?"

"Oh, I apologize, you must be Princess Zelda of Hyrule!" With that, he threw himself up into the air and hooked his legs over the edge of the chandelier. "It's an honor to be in your presence."

"Alright, you're just scary," Link growled as he pulled out his bow and shot an arrow at the butler, only for it to be caught in his hand. The hero hardly had time to blink before the butler sent silverware flying his way. He blocked them all with his shield, only to find one went through a little.

"What are these things made out of-" He pulled it out, staring at the eating utensil in awe. "A butler knife!? You're fighting with butter knives!?"

"They're more efficient than you think!" Sebastian called from the ceiling.

"Link," Zelda called. "His power is beyond this world of ours. You have to fight black magic with light!"

"You think I haven't figured that- oh... I see what you're saying!"

Link fearlessly pulled out his hook shot and latched onto the other, pulling himself up to its level.

"Why, that's a neat little contraption," Sebastian smirked.

"Ya," Link returned the gesture. "If you think that's cool, watch this!"

The hero shot what Sebastian perceived to be a glowing ray of light at him. He had caught bullets and arrows alike, but this was no ordinary weapon. The light pierced his chest, sending a fiery burn throughout his veins, paralyzing him with agony.

Link watched as the demon fell from his perch. His body slammed against the cold, marble floor where he landed.

The next thing Sebastian knew, the hero was standing over him with the sword to his chest. To his surprise, he didn't immediately thrust the blade into his flesh.

"Just what are you, really?" Link asked.

"I..." Sebastian struggled to regain his senses. The burn of the light arrow was still coursing within him. "I am simply... one hell of a butler."

With that, he threw himself up, actually knocking the hero back. Though his head was still spinning, he was able to quickly run up the wall, and escape through the window.

~~~